Herzlich Celebrates Super Bowl, Thankful For Support From Boston

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INDIANAPOLIS (CBS) – Mark Herzlich was not on the active roster for Super Bowl XLVI, but that doesn’t take anything away from his remarkable story.

The former Boston College linebacker who beat cancer and proved doubters wrong by making an NFL team is now a Super Bowl champion, and he reflected on just how far he’s come with WBZ-TV’s Steve Burton, Dan Roche and Levan Reid on Sunday night.

“I could have lost my leg very easily two years ago,” Herzlich said. “You guys were with me for the story at Boston College and I remember doing a bunch of different interviews when I was bald and sick and kind of down and out. To come this far and to be even able to play in this game is very special. To be able to win it is even greater.”

Watch Herzlich talk with WBZ-TV after the Super Bowl:

Herzlich also expressed tremendous thanks for the support he’s gotten from Boston, New York and his home Philadelphia.

“I feel very lucky, very blessed,” Herzlich said. “Prayers have definitely been answered, and it’s been with great support from people all across the country. Boston especially, New York, Philly … I think I might be the only person that Philly, New York and Boston all cheer for.

“It’s tough to unite those three cities.”

Despite being left off the active roster, the 24-year-old expressed no frustration at coach Tom Coughlin’s decision.

“It really came down to numbers,” he explained. “I understand completely. We didn’t want to mess anything up, we had a good run going. As much as I wanted to be out there, as frustrating as it was not to dress, it all becomes kind of worth it when we wind up in this position.”

And when asked what his goals are for his sophomore season in the NFL, the answer was typical Herzlich.

“For an encore? Hey, get another one next year hopefully. That’s the goal,” he said. “Never stay satisfied.”